contributing on a beautiful food blog.

I have started contributing for this food blog. We will be updating with new recipes regularly so make sure to follow it! grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented people.

http://foodfeedblog.com/post/28315673618/spicy-roasted-cauliflower-with-sweet-apple-and#.UBZfd-2UBhA

my birthday! thought on giving and receiving

here it is. another birthday. It seems like another year has gone past me so fast. Does that mean I am not focusing on "now" ? or I am not sure.

Anyway, with all the lovely people wishing me a happy birthday and of course from my daughter I had a great day.
probably she was more excited to give me the  presents she made than I was to receive it. She was planning it a month in an advance and when finished making them she even asked to see if she could give them to me then!
that got me thinking about "giving and receiving" some people associate "it is better to give than to receive" in a religious way but I see it as just the way of life.
We all have done this. Anytime you do something for others you do get something in return , even if that is just a warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction. I don't see having expectation on receiving when giving is a bad thing. I know it would feel good to do something to help others even if they don't return the gratitude straight away. I suppose it is my selfish kind of way to bring my positive energy for me. But when you expect others to return what you have given then that act becomes more stressful than it needs to be. You give someone a present and they don't appreciate it as much as you expected them to. You cover a work shift for you colleague and she wouldn't do the same for you. Then you think WHY BOTHER!
recently I have been asking myself "what is my expectation? and intention?" before doing something for others on some occasions. cheesy as it may sound it is "to feel good" when I release the need to control what I may or should receive in return I get enough , if not more in return.


oh here is what I could expect to be good. my raw chocolate cake layered with creamy vanilla cream.
the best way to eat them is to share with others xxx

31 magical life facts I have learnt so far by Vienda Marie

guest post by Vienda marie

One of the great things about internet is how we could connect with such amazing people from anywhere. Vienda's posts have helped me through many times. I will be conducting an interview with her soon as well. I have a lot to ask as she is on another adventure!

This is one of my favourite posts of hers. Enjoy. 

31 magical life facts i have learnt so far

1. there’s a time to make a move + there’s a time to wait. do that which comes naturally in that moment.
2. we always get what we ask for. every. single. time. even when we don’t realise we’ve asked for it.
3. your perspective in unique. don’t be afraid to share it. the world needs it.
4. money is an expansive entity.
5. intuition is a great thing. trust it.
6. listen to others. take their opinion into account. then do what feels right for you.
7. it’s not you. it’s him / her.
8. sometimes there are simply not enough words to explain a feeling. nothing grand or majestic enough to even come close.
9. even people who come across as confident are insecure from time to time. we are all human after all.
10. wishes. prayers. mantras. chanting. affirmations. they’re all the same thing. they all work.
11. loving is easy. letting go. not so much. it’s the attachment thing.
12. sometimes all you need to do is give it time.
13. smiling to strangers changes everything. for them + for you.
14. everyone in your life is there for a reason. ask yourself “what can i learn?” “what can I give?”
15. there’s no such thing as a wrong decision. it all happens for a reason.
16. love is everything
17. the depths of your soul is like the ocean. it’s impossible to explore every part. you will always be surprised.
18. live from a place of possibility. anything could happen.
19. asking for something can be scary, but so worth it.
20. pretty much everything is art. even accounting.
21. men who make fun of themselves are far more sexy than men who take themselves seriously.
22. it’s ok to have dreams so big that they seem incomprehensible. dreams become things. one day.
23. we are all intricate complex beings.
24. life is all about contrast. there’s no right or wrong. no good or bad.
25. salt water makes everything better. the ocean. the tears.
26. the more we count our blessings, the more blessings we have to count.
27. trying to please others doesn’t make anyone happy. so stick with doing what’s right for you.
28. there’s someone out there thinking kind thoughts about you pretty much every moment of the day. nice isn’t it.
29. image + identity are simply masks + walls we hide ourselves behind. drop them + see that we are all so much more.
30. pay it forward. give your gifts. the world will reciprocate. 
31. people are amazing

Image source.

ABOUT THE AUTOUR

THIS POST WRITTEN BY VIENDA MARIE. SHE IS A WRITER AND LIFE COACH, WHO HELP OTHERS WITH THEIRE SELF REALISATION.

YOU CAN READ MORE OF HER POWERFUL POSTS HERE. THEY HAVE OFTEN HELPED ME THROUGH. 

kiwi fruit and carob muffins plus getting good deals on organic produce

I hardly ever bake now as I am moving more towards raw dessert making. I do still have clients who still like to have their traditional muffins. Today I have made kiwi fruit and carob muffins.  here is the recipe for them. Kiwi fruits are in season now. I got them on special at Victoria market yesterday. buying organic produce for all your groceries can be expensive. I have always said to people that it may be in a short term but in a long run
-you may be saving money on your medical cost (as I believe taking in all the pesticides and chemicals are not health promoting)
-you are helping the environment (in the future it would be more expensive to live with less natural resources)
-you are building better future environment for the next generations
-you are helping small and usually passionate farmers. often local, then the money you spend stay in the same community.

You may still say "but it is still expensive NOW!"
well, there are always good deals happening for organics too. Look for farmers market, and often in the end of the week (for example on sundays at Victoria market) they reduce the prices on certain produces. Compare different organic shops as they charge different margins. I love Fruit peddlers in northcote. 

• 103 High St
  NORTHCOTE, VIC, 3070
• local(03) 9489 5824

 think they have the best price on organic fruits and vegetables. Check them out if you are nearby.
Do you have a favourite shop where you get your groceries from?


KIWI FRUIT AND CAROB MUFFINS (DAIRY FREE) makes 12 muffins

1 1/2 cup wholemeal spelt flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup carob powder
1/3 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp allergy free baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup your preferred oil
1 tbs brown rice syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 fresh kiwi fruit

preheat the oven at 180 degrees.
lightly grease a muffin tin
In a large mixing bowl, shift all the dry ingredients. Mix and make a well in the centre.
Mis all the liquid ingredients and add to the dry mix.
Do not over mix. Gently fold in the kiwifruits.
Fill the muffin tin three quarters full and bake for 20 minutes if so, until the muffins are slightly browned on top and a toothpick inserted through the centre comes out clean.

When cool enough to handle transfer the muffins to cooling racks.


By the way how do you eat kiwifruits?
I wash the whole thing and eat them with the skin. Some people think it's strange but .....

raw chocolate covered tim tam

Ok, I haven't had Tim Tam for a long long time. I hadn't thought about it till someone was talking about it on the radio the other day. Then I had an idea. I am going to make something like that but raw.

The first thing was to make a cake / biscuit base. You can adjust or use any of your favourite cake recipe but this is what I used
The base
1/2 cup soaked then dehydrated brazil nut, milled to flour
1/2 cup soaked then dehydrated walnut, milled to flour
1 cup soaked and sprouted then dehydrated oat grout , milled to flour
1 1/2 tbs water
80ml raw cocoa powder
40ml raw carob powder
6 dates
1 tbs coconut oil

food process all the ingredients till it becomes dough like. add more water if needed.
Dehydrate for 4-6 hours or simply chill in the fridge (I was too impatient to wait for it to be dehydrated so just chilled in the fridge. It worked fine that way for me)

The filling
I was going to use some frozen berries at first but I was thinking  it is such summer thing. What can I use for this season... Then decided on an orange.
Instead of just using orange juice I put the whole thing in the blender.
I also didn't want it to be too dense with nuts. I could have used irish moss but I wanted to experiment with using agar agar. I know with agar agar and kudzu. you should cook it so it is not really raw anymore. So if you wanted this to be truly raw you can use irish moss.
Kudzu is something that you may be unfamiliar with. It is a bit like arrowroot, used as a thickener. It is made from root of a plant and great for winter because it is warming to the body. great to add to your winter menu.

juicy seasonal winter fruit "navel oranges"

kudzu

1 3/4 tsp agar agar powder, soaked in 1/2 cup water over night (can be less)

1 tsp kudzu dissolved in 2 tsp water

1/2 cup macadamia soaked over night then drained

1/4 cup water (more or less)

1 whole orange, skin off

3 dates

3 drops lime essential oil (food grade) (optional)

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

firstly bring agar agar with the soaking water to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes or so. 

Add dissolved kudzu, stir constantly.

Turn off heat and let cool for 5 minutes or so before adding to the blender. You don't want it to be completely cooled as it would harden.

In a blender put all the ingredients except coconut oil. 

Blend till smooth

Add the oil while the motor is still running.

Take the base out of the fridge (or dehydrated base) then pour the filling over the top. put it back into the fridge or freezer till firm.

make your favourite ganache
you can drizzle

 or cover them entirely

 break them up and

          ENJOY

This has to be one of my favourites ! they are so creamy and rich. I love the cracked chocolate and creaminess of the filling. 

This is one of the reasons I just love raw desserts. look at the ingredients. Using these wholesome produce that nourish your body....

Ok more excuses to eat another slice. I don't think I will get to see them tomorrow...

what makes me powerful.

I have finally moved in to my new house. It seemed like a long time ago that i was desperately looking for a place to buy.
"You are just rushing into it" "The market is unstable at the moment" "You just need a unit with a small courtyard""you should wait till spring" "you shouldn't buy a house you are not that practical" "You can't afford it" I hear these comments made by others as well as myself when I was looking. When you are told that you are a certain thing you start to believe that is true. It is great if that is something positive. However if you hear again and again that you are not good enough for your dreams and desire you start to doubt your ability. Even now I have cut out many of these people who can be a negative influence to my life I still hear them in my head.
One of the things that motivated me to buy a house was my daughter. I wanted to give a security that she used to have when we were living in a previous house. I cannot give her the security and happiness she had in a house with her mum and dad together anymore but I now can give her a home that is hers and mine to create together. Probably she wouldn't have cared as much as I thought she would. Kids are amazing that way, adapting to a new environment or situation. Nut when she said to me "thanks for buying our home, Mum" I knew this is what I needed to do.
For the last couple of weeks I was feeling again doubtful. I was starting to question if I made a mistake. Especially seeing my bank account getting lower and lower (!) I was feeling down. Then this morning I was out in the garden and suddenly feeling so powerful. Maybe the energy that the nature was giving me. But I felt so certain that I did make a right choice. Knowing that I did this on my own this time with other supportive people around me. I have a responsibility but also freedom to be as strong and independent as I could.
this is what makes me feel powerful. I am nothing yet everything


what makes you feel powerful?


this is from one of my favourite blogger. she writes such a beautiful blog. love this one!
a life of perfect days: 5 WAYS TO BECOME TRULY HAPPY WITH WHO YOU ARE

super food "seaweed"

Seaweed is something that lots of people overlook when they talk about vegetables. It is packed with concentrated minerals and also very versatile. It is quite handy to have in your pantry as it keeps for a long time.

So what is so powerful about the seaweed?
In general this is what has been found

The seaweed has virtually contain all the minerals found in the ocean, that is one hundred or so minerals and trace elements! They are in the most assimilable form because they are integrated into living plant tissue.
-They are high in calcium (can contain up to 10 times more calcium than milk), iodine (important for thyroid function) and iron (up to 25 times more iron than beef), as well as folic acid, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.
Fluorine is another minerals found in seaweed. As it is in a natural form (not like chemical fluoride found in water supply) it is not harmful and found to boost the body's defence system and strengthens body and teeth.

The seaweed may help prevent cancer by inhibiting the growth of vessels that feed the tumour and by their ligaments, which can block the hormonal signalling of estrogent dependent cancers.

They help alkalising to the blood, neutralise the negative effects of the modern diet and detoxify and transform certain toxic elements into harmless salts, which are excreted through the intestine.

They are found to boost weight loss and deterring cellulite build up. used to lower cholesterol and reduce fat build up in the blood.

The properties of seaweeds are cooling and moisten dryness. In macrobiotic seaweed is considered yin but more yang compared to land vegetables. This is so because of the fact that the seaweeds are tougher and commonly sold seaweeds are dried, which make them more yang.

Types of seaweed.
for those of you who are not so familiar with seaweed here are different types seaweed available.

Arame - mild in taste. great in salad
Hijiki - concentrated in minerals. not available in australia
kombu - used to treat various diseases such as goiter, arthritis, high blood pressure, prostate and ovarian troubles etc etc. )The list goes on! use in stock
kelp - available in powder or capsule form
wakame - great in soups
agar agar - readily used like gelatine
nori - best known used for sushi
dulse - often found in flake form. one of red seaweed varieties
irish moss - used as carrageenan

brown rice sushi 

(maki-zushi and ura-maki) -nori

 use of irish moss

 arame seaweed salad

 use of agar agar